Light filtering high-index glass elements



July 11, 1961 w. R. BECK ETAL 2,992,122

LIGHT FILTERING HIGH-INDEX GLASS ELEMENTS Filed Feb. 16, 1959 0/ 7/6741. 067K577) Q N WA'VF imam //v Mew/v5 fiVVf/VTORS film/Q5 2 556K 0/) FAA/a fu/vc Unite Warren R. Beck,

This invention relates to our discovery of transparent blue glass elements of high refractive index exhibiting a narrower range of transmission of blue light than hitherto known even in conventional low index glasses.

We have succeeded in making novel and useful glass elements transmitting visible light limited almost entirely to the 0.40 to .52 micron region. Our glass elements have a high refractive index (about 1.9 for indigo blue light). They have a peak in light transmission at or near .46 micron. They are stable to severe weathering conditions.

Glass elements of this invention, particularly in bead form, are useful in a variety of reflex-reflecting applications, e.g., in highway marking paints, in reflex-reflecting elements composed of glass beads with associated hemispherical reflective coatings, in reflex-reflecting sheet articles, etc. They are particularly useful in the fabrication of retroreflective screens for use in a telecasting technique such as described in copending applications of Robert C. Vanstrum, Serial No. 791,164, filed February 4, 1959, and now abandoned, and of Eugene L. McKenzie and Melvin L. Johnson, Serial No. 791,165, filed February 4, 1959, and now abandoned. In such telecasting uses, it is necessary, for maximum success of the telecasting technique, that the glass beads of a lenticular-surfaced reflex-reflecting screen transmit light of only a limited band of wave lengths. The properties of our elements make them especially desirable for such uses, since they transmit only a desired spectral range of blue light, and yet exhibit the required indices of refraction for maximum brilliance of reflex-reflection by the screen.

While blue glass filters have been available heretofore, they have been of low refractive index and have not been capable of limiting blue light transmission to only the narrower wave range of wave lengths known commonly as the indigo blue range (e.g., .40.52 micron). As an illustration, a well-recognized commercially-available blue glass filter is transmissive to light all the way from about .52 micron down to .35 micron or lower, exhibiting a relatively wide band of high transmission without any sharp peak. It may be observed that the human eye is appreciably sensitive from about .37 micron to .72 micron, as shown in Strongs Concepts of Classical Optics, W. .H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1958, page 490. Thus the wide band of light transmitted by the commercially available filter aforementioned is readily distinguishable by an observer from the limited region of light waves transmitted by our glass elements. Of course, such broader transmission characteristic may not be disadvantageous in the usual optical system for visual observation; however, it considerably hampers and limits the success of telecasting using such technique as described in the aforereferenced copending applications. The band of light transmitted by the glass beads of the screen employed in such telecasting technique is used to control the printing or telecasting of an image from a separate satellite camera, and is excluded from the picture telecast from the main camera before the screen in question. The exclusion of a large band of light from the picture telecast from the main camera would considerably hamper the success of the telecasting process. It is, therefore, of critical importance that a limited band States Patent of wave lengths alone be transmitted by the glass elements employed in the screen used in the telecasting technique. Our elements are especially effective and permit particularly efficient operation of this telecasting technique.

The composition of our glass elements is of such a nature that it cannot be employed in making optical glass elements of the usual sizes such as required for telescopes,

cameras and similar optical instruments. Our compositions in fluid form have a strong devitrification tendency and crystallize if cooled too slowly. We have found, however, that if the thickness of elements does not exceed about 2 millimeters, sufliciently rapid cooling of the hot glass is possible so that a transparent non-devitrifled product results.

Examples of glass elements that may be formed using the principles of this invention are beads, fibers, flakes, thin plates such as for capacitor use, gem stones, etc. Preferred thicknesses for the elements of this invention generally will not exceed about 0.2 millimeter since much greater thicknesses tend to absorb too high a percentage of incident light for light transmission to be visually apparent to the casual observer. Where light transmission sensitivity is detected by an electronic means, however, much greater thicknesses are permissible. Nevertheless, for maximum brilliancy of retrodirective reflection, as in the reflex-reflecting screens employed in the telecasting technique aforenoted, it is of importance to employ elements of as small size as possible, e.g., even beads or microspheres as small as about 15 to 20 microns in diameter. In general, however, we have found that glass beads no larger than about 10 mils in diameter offer the most advantageous combination of optical properties; for brilliance of light return as well as the desired filtering properties.

The invention will now be described in reference to a drawing, made a part hereof, consisting of a graph containing two curves. Curve A is characteristic of glass beads having the composition set forth in Example 16 below, and is illustrative of the curves of light transmission for all the glasses hereof. Curve B is placed in the graph for comparison purposes to illustrate the curve of light transmission and absorption obtained with a conventional commercially available cobalt containing filter glass. The area below each curve is indicative of the light waves absorbed.

The glass elements of this invention, which are composed of glass having a refractive index of about 1.9, varying in the range of about 1.8 to (2.0, contain a signicant amount of both cobalt oxide and titanium dioxide as network forming oxides. Although we do not wish to be bound by theory, the cobalt oxide and titanium dioxide both appear to assume a tetrahedral structure, i.e., C005 TiO and become network formers in our glasses. Furthermore, they appear to be the primary contributing factors in causing our glasses to exhibit a limited transmission characteristic in the indigo blue range, causing a peak of light transmission at approximately .46 micron.

The composition of our glasses is characterized in the following table, wherein amounts are set forth in percent by weight:

Table A $00 1-10 TiO 20-50 BaO 0-40 PbO 0-50 BaO-l-PbO 20-60 SiO 5-25 B 0 0-15 R 0 (alkali metal oxides) 0-15 At least approximately 90% of the weight of our glass is made up from ingredients and amounts satisfying the requirements of the foregoing table. If desired for reasons of meltability, cost, or minor adjustment of properferred to hereinabove. Other elements of the invention may be made using adaptations of existing techniques. For example, fibers may be formed by jet blowing a stream of molten glass in cool air. Filaments can be ties, other recognized substitutes for glassforming charges 5 drawn fr m mo n g ss t g a following y may be included to form a part of the composition, e.g., rapid coolingn Plates and flakes y be made y other alkaline earth oxides or Zinc oxide, cadmium'oxide, asti g a in layer of molten glass on a 9991 Surface gennanium id t (e.g., room temperature steel surface). Jewelry gems It will be appreciated that by varying the composition m y be made y polishing bullet or the like. y pressing, of the glass slightly, shifts in the peak of light transmistcsion by the glass may be eifected, within the range of .44 The composition of our preferred high index indigo to .48 micron. For example, as the titanium dioxide blue filter elements, i.e., those with the most suitable comcontent is increased while other ingredients of the compobiHetiOHS f refractive iHdeX, sharpness of P 0f sition remain in the same relative proportions with relight transmission, durability and fusibility (i.e., ease of spect to each other, the peak of light transmission tends 15 f rmi into beads) are characterized y the following to shift upwardly. table, wherein amounts are set forth in Weight percent:

While our glasses are reported in terms of oxide composition, in accordance with the general custom, it will Table B be recognized that either the oxides as such or compounds c o 2 8 other than the listed oxides may be added to the original 0 30 4() glassmaking charge in amounts calculated to provide the g 25 4 desired amount of oxide. For example, boric acid, C0 0 o 25 barium carbonate, Pb O sodium carbonate, etc., may be B O+PbO 25 5 used. Small amounts of fluoride may also be added to 10 10 2 promote fluidity. 25 0 5 In preparing our glasses we find that best results are i O 2() obtained if the melting of a raw batch is done in a non- R k metal oxides) .12 porous corrosion-resistant crucible. Good results can be obtained at reasonable crucible cost by using unglazed It hould b ob erved that we employ a generally high Coors Porcelain crucibles. marketed y COOIS Porcelain content of cobalt oxide in our small glass elements. We p y of Denver, Celefado- IIIIPeI'ViOuS crucibles of have found that small glass beads having a diameter of more refractory substances as alumina or platinum cruabout 25 microns ld contain approximately 7% eibles give best results but are generally expensive to halt oxide in their glass composition in order for them to employ. exhibit optimum properties of light transmission and ab- The glassmakl'ng Charges are usually melted to sorption, as desired. Larger elements, e.g., beads of apperature of approximately 1200 to 1500 's P proximately 75 microns diameter, exhibit the desired y about 1300 C" at Which temperature y become properties with approximately 2% by weight cobalt oxide, extremely fluid and free flowing. Once melted, the charge lth h larger amounts till i d lt y q y be quenched y Pouring it ill a bath of rela- 40 The invention is illustrated by the examples set forth fively Cold Water (Water at appmxhneltely room P in the following table showing exemplary glass compo- The fluid glass Striking the Cold Water 1'5 Shattered sitions and the characteristics of each. All of the glass into a plurality of Small Particles, glass Beads beads set forth in the table were absorptive of essentially y be fermed fr m these small particles of glass cullet all wave lengths of light outside of the range of .40 to by dropping the particles through a high temperature .52 micron. Under Peak in the table is set forth the flame or radiant heating zone to soften them suificiently wave length in microns at which the glass example exhibso that surface tension forces cause the molten particles ited a peak or maximum of light transmission. Under of glass to assume a spherical shape while they are free Size in the table is set forth the average diameter of falling. They should be allowed to fall through the heatthe glass beads in mils. While the beads of each example ing zone directly into a current of cool air (e.g., air at varied from the listed average diameter, the vast majority normal room temperature is suitable). Rapid cooling of them were within about 30% of the diameter listed. of the spherical shapes caused by their fall through the (Glass elements as thick as 2 mm. have been prepared cool air hardens them without devitrification taking place. from compositions of these examples.) Under Rrefrac- Beads formed in this manner may then be screened to tive Index in the table is set for the refraction of blue size for use in forming reflex-reflecting structures as relight caused by the glass elements of each example.

Table C Refrac- Ex. No. Size 000 T10; BaO S101 B201 N810 Other tive Peak Ingredients Index (Blue) 9 1.20 29.56 22.82 16.39 4.06 5.40 {PK]%%Z%Z 1.95 0. 46+ 9 1.02 37.77 31.76 15.50 3.32 9.08 K2O,1.56 1.89 046+ 3 2.49 37.20 31.28 15.27 3.27 8.95 20,1.54 1.90 0.47 3 2.07 35.42 32.43 15.83 3.39 9.28 Ki0,1.59. 1.89 0.465 1.5 9.09 39. 55 26.64 13.00 2.82 7.63 K20,1.27 1.95 0.47- 1.5 6.9 33.80 31.0 15.1 2.7 8.65 K20, 1.5 1.91 0.46

3 3.0 45.0 27.0 22.0 4.0 4.0 1.91 046+ 3 2.3 42.0 24.8 21.2 3.4 K2O,66- 1.92 0.465 3 4.0 35.0 26.5 25.0 9.5 1.87 0.455 3 2.5 21.0 25.0 16.0 4.0 6.0 Pb0,25.5 1.91 0.45 3 2.0 35.0 38.0 18.0 3.0 K 0 4.0 1.90 0.46 1.5 4.0 36.0 29.6 10.0 3.2 4.0 2.00 0.47 1.5 5.0 39.0 25.0 11.0 5.0 10.0 1.90 0. 465- 3 2.0 20.0 12.0 5.0 8.0 1.95 0.46-

That which is claimed is:

1. Transparent indigo blue glass elements, resistant to weathering, having a thickness not exceeding 2 millimeters, and having a peak in visible light transmission between .40 and .52 micron, said elements being essentially absorptive of all visible wave lengths of light outside of said range, and being formed from a glass characterized by a significant amount of both C and TiO and consisting essentially of a metal oxide combination satisfying the composition requirements on? the following table wherein amounts are specified in weight percent:

C00 1-10 TiO 20-50 BaO 0-40 PbO 0-50 BaO-I-PbO 20-60 SiO -25 B 0 0-15 SiO +B O -30 R 0 (alkali metal oxides) 0-15 6 ized by a significant amount of both 000 and TiO, and consisting essentially of a metal oxide combination satisfying the composition requirements of the following table wherein amounts are specified in weight percent:

CoO 2- 8 Ti0 -40 BaO 25-40 PbO 0-25 BaO+PbO 25-50 SiO *10-20 B 0 0- 5 SiO +B O 10-20 R 0 (alkali metal oxides) 6-12 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mitkewich Mar. 10, 1953 Donahey Oct. 11, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 2,992, 122 July 11, 1961 Warren H. Beck et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent: should read as -corrected below. 7

Column 2, Table A, left-hand column, line 1, for "S00" read C00 column 3, line 24, for "fluoride" read flourine column 4 Table B, left-hand column line 2 for "T00 read T10 lines 53 and 54, for "Rrefractive" read Refractive Signed and sealed this 28th day of November 1961';

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 

1. TRANSPARENT INDIGO BLUE GLASS ELEMENTS, RESISTANT TO WEATHERING, HAVING A THICKNESS NOT EXCEEDING 2 MILLIMETERS, AND HAVING A PEAK IN VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION BETWEEN .40 AND .52 MICRON, SAID ELEMENTS BEING ESSENTIALLY ABSORPTIVE OF ALL VISIBLE WAVE LENGTHS OF LIGHT OUTSIDE OF SAID RANGE, AND BEING FORMED FROM A GLASS CHARACTERIZED 